Pages

Index

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is nestled in the beautiful village of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, the only private village in Southern Africa to be completely surrounded by a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Formerly the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) .

KwaluciaPrivate Safari Retreatis the first 5-star Bed and Breakfast/Guest house in St Lucia. This a newly built exclusive African Safari Retreat is born from the combination of the Zulu spirit and the passion for unspoiled wilderness. We offer 4 exclusive African styled en suite guestrooms, all of which have each a private patio leading onto a romantic tropical garden with indigenous trees.

All bathrooms are equipped with spacious showers, wash hand basin and a relaxing Victorian free standing bath, bath robes, toilet and shaving plugs, all in a beautiful African style design.

After a wonderful day of unforgettable experiences in St. Lucia and the surrounding areas your luxury and cosy room will fulfil your dreams. Wake up in the morning knowing that each day will allow for the adventure and peace of Africa to enter your soul.

At KwaluciaPrivate Safari Retreat hearty breakfast is served in the dining area in- or outside, overlooking the large rim flow pool, or on your request on your private patio.

At this romantic intimate Safari Retreat, all our guests have access to a large well lit swimming pool with rim flow. A well designed sundeck awaits you for relaxing and peaceful afternoons.

The main lounge provides you with full DSTV and a small library for your leisure and relaxation.

Around the fire in the boma, it is the perfect place where tales of the day are told. Dinners can be arranged on request.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat is situated within safe walking distance (just watch out for the hippos at night) to the main road (McKenzie Street), where numerous excellent restaurants are situated to cater all your desires.

Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat form a combination of calm and convenience, resulting in absolute comfort for guests who want to relax and rejuvenate their spirits with an opportunity to explore and to discover the staggeringly beautiful surroundings.

Owner management - English, Afrikaans, French & Dutch spoken.

THE RATES:

RATES: From 01 November 2010 - 31 October 2012:

Per person per night sharing : R 840
Per person per night single : R 950
Children under 12 year old : R 395

Rates include a healthy Country Style Breakfast,witch includes hot breakfast, teas, coffee facilities and water.

All rates are inclusive 14% VAT and in (ZAR) South African Rand.

During our high season (15 Dec – 10 Jan) prices increase by 10%.

Rates are subject to change without prior notice, however rates quoted for confirmed booking (50% deposit on reservation) will be honored.

Diners are available on request: R240 per person including a half bottle of wine and waters.

Airport shuttle from & to Richards Bay can be arranged: price available on request.

Packages: price available on request.

Tour operators and agents rates available on request.

Check-in time is from 14H – Check-out time is before 11 o’clock.

Please note as courtesy to other guest, no smoking is permitted in the suites, dining room and lounge,however these are smoking facilities on the private patios etc….

PAYMENTS:A deposit of 50% of the total accommodation charges is required to confirm a provisional reservation.
For our high season (15 Dec – 10 Jan) where a full payment is required in advance

CANCELLATIONS: our cancellations or non arrival policy is as follow:

4 weeks before arrival 50% of full amount is forfeited

2 weeks before arrival 75% of full amount is forfeited

1 week or less before arrival 100% of full amount is forfeited

ACTIVITIES

ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK TOURS (Eastern shore):
You will discover the many treasures of the park. Guided tours in safari vehicles or self-drives tours in your own vehicle will give you the opportunity to discover the rocks pools at Mission Rock, Cape Vidal, Banghazi lake, a number of gravel roads (accessible with sedan cars) through the different ecosystems, short walks to suited look out point with views of the Indian ocean, rolling grassland and lake St Lucia will give you the opportunity to experience nature close up; to taste; to smell and feel the bush….

BIG 5 GAMES DRIVES:
There is nothing as iconic of Africa as the Big 5. In the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve,once the hunting grounds of the famous Zulu chief Shaka,the park is renown for its efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction and the magnificence of these first foothills of the coastal escarpment. White rhino abound and sightings of elephants are not unusual. The park also has lion, cheetah, black rhino, leopard, wild dog, a large population of giraffe and much more. Bird sightings may include lesser jacana, lapped-vaced vultures ,bateleur eagles, white-headed vultures, southern banded snake eagle etc…Guided safari in open vehicles or self guided safari in your own vehicle can be organized.

BOAT TRIPS AND SUNDOWN CRUISE:
On the estuary will leave memories of St Lucia that will always be treasured.

WHALES WATCHING:
(Seasonal) From June to November, humpback whales pass along the coastline during their annual migration from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic, to calve off the coast of Mozambique. These phenomenal mammals can weigh up to 45 tons and are sometimes visible from the shoreline, however a boat based whale watching tour is highly recommended.

TURTLES TOURS:
(Seasonal) From November to March the female turtle emerges, under the cover of the darkness, from the sea, seeking a suitable site to dig a 1 meter deep nest….Where you experience the miracle of nesting of the leatherback ( weighs up to 900 kgs) and loggerheads turtles. Step into the world of those amazing and ancient reptiles as they dodge sharks offshore and humans,crabs,badgers and jackals on shore to return and hatch from these ancient nesting grounds.
An overnight tour with qualifies guides

OCEAN SAFARIS:
Explore marine magnificence: Scuba diving and snorkeling are found to various destinations within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, from Cape Vidal to Sodwana Bay….Sodwana Bay is one of the top 10 diving sites in the world. Over 1200 species of fish, whales, sharks, manta ray and the rare coelacanth have been recorded. The reefs have 95 known species of 43 groups of hard coral and 11 known groups of soft coral.

BEACHES AND DUNES SAFARIS:
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a sub tropical paradise with massive golden sand dunes, which are some of the world highest vegetated dunes ,tumble onto miles of glistering golden beaches lapped by the blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean…Walking along the sea shore with sea spray dancing on your face will simply rejuvenate your soul….

BIRDING SAFARIS:
The Zululand Birding Route as developed an experienced network of local guides to assist birders find the “specials” of a specific birding site using local knowledge and observation skills…

WALKING SAFARIS:
Self-guided walk to wilderness trails with qualified rangers will leave you with memories of a life time as you go “game viewing”.

CYCLING SAFARIS:
Guides cycled trips including bicycle hire, are offered in and around St Lucia taking in views of the ocean and trips through the forest…

HORSE RIDING SAFARIS:
A number of different horse riding safaris are on offer. From a 1 hour ride along the beach up to a multi-day safari through the bush…

CANOEING AND KAYAK SAFARIS:
Kayaking tours with experienced guides on the Estuary allow visitors to get up close to an array of water birds, hippos and crocodiles…

NIGHT DRIVE SAFARIS:
Share the quietness and the peace of the African nights trying to spot one of our local leopards, hippos ,bush babies and many more of the night life…

DEEP SEA FISHING:
For the big game fisherman the waters of the Indian Ocean provide a spirited challenge, with the deep zones of the continental shelf being home to species such as marlin, seal fish, barracuda, tuna, king and queen fish…

CROCODILE AND SNAKE CENTER:
You can visit the crocodile center on your own or join a guided tour and watch the feed of the crocs on certain days.
A nice well stocked curious shop is situated within the center…

CULTURAL TOURS:
There are several cultural villages that provide a historical experience of Zulu traditional life. Learn about the task performed by different members of a community, watch energic Zulu dancing and taste traditional brewed sorghum beer.

GOLF, TENNIS AND SQUASH:
2 golf courses are within close distances of St Lucia: the Monzi Golf Course is situated 16 kms from St Lucia and the Umfolozi Golf Course is 55 kms away. Both courses are 9 holes courses with 2 tees off positions, this making them 18 holes courses. Other facilities at the clubs include tennis and squash courts…

KWALUCIA:
At KWALUCIA PRIVATE SAFARI RETREAT, you can just indulge yourself around the swimming pool, at the sundeck or at your private patio…

Monday, June 07, 2010

It is official. St. Lucia is one of the places to relax and recharge your batteries. Since everything is such a rush and so little time to do so many things a two night weekend is a short hop from Durban, Pietermaristzburg or even as far as Ermelo. Maybe St. Lucia is not the fishing destination it normally presents it self as. For this there is many reasons, but with the recent early winter rain the Lake Levels are substantially higher and an Estuary Boat Cruise is a must.

From Next month the whale season will be in full swing and for those who would like to avoid the rush one could wait until then, but currently the Advantage Crew has delivered and their Whale and mammal Tour is just the thing for a couple to enjoy on a quick Romantic break away weekend. St. Lucia is so compact that one can meander on a late afternoon stroll and end up in one of the many very Romantic Restaurants. A late night walk back home will only disturb the roaming Hippo and antelope.

Book you weekend now in this Rustic upmarket Log home. Mangoes Guest House can be booked as a self catering house or Bed and Breakfast. This cozy Home is with in walking distance of the Estuary Boat Cruise, Walking Trails and Restaurants. Night Drives onto the Eastern Shores will pick you up from your door step and bookings can be done in advance to avoid disappointment. The ambiance of a weekend at Mangoes will set the mood for late afternoon walk along the Hippo's and Crocks on the elevated path ways.

An Afternoon picnic at Honeymoon bend or a morning drive to Cape Vidal. All this in Nature away from city life. Cape Vidal and the eastern shores route offers four of the Big Five and on the way, there is many view points to visit and Hippo pools to stop at. Book now and spoil a loved one.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

St Lucia Wilds offer self-catering holiday accommodation in Zululand, South Africa for couples, single travellers, families, birders, eco-tourists, "mature" backpackers and nature enthusiasts. Our vacation units are neat, clean in a garden setting on the embankment of the St Lucia Estuary away from the town noise.

St Lucia town is uniquely situated surrounded by a World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an ideal base to explore and experience our unspoilt natural heritage.

The park stretches 220 km along the northern coastline of Kwa-Zulu Natal, against the warm Indian Ocean. This area boasts:

1000 Nile crocodiles;

8 Inter-linked ecosystems;

526 bird species;

800 hippos;

35 species of frogs;

105 species of fish.

Ceolocanths;

African Elephant;

Whales;

100 coral species;

5 species of Turtles.

5 Cultural groups.

We have the only significant major swamp forest in SA, 25 000 year old vegetated costal dunes, 3 major lake systems ( Lake Sibaya, - St Lucia and Kosi Bay), all 5 south african mangrove tree species, 36 species of snake, 80 species of dragonflies, 110 species of Butterflies and more than 2000 species of flowering plants.

See the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino) as well as the other 5 (Hippo, Crocodile, Fish Eagle, Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Humpback Whales) while you relax in the warm humid summer tropical climate.

Watch the sun set rise over the sea and set over the lake the same day, be awaked by sound of the Trumpeter Hornbill sad song, feel the sun burn your skin and breathe in the clean warm air of one of the oldest and most diverse reserves in the world.

Let us put some dates and detail to this email. It was only the last 4km of road leading to the beach that was closed and this should be open by 03 June 2010. So any body en route to Cape Vidal for fishing or snorkeling this weekend would not have any difficulty with getting there safely. This weekend should be lovely sunny weather and Shad could also be on the specie list for recreational angling. This specie has been caught up and down the coast this season already and a monster specimen was landed by Deon from Raggie Tackle.